Key WardsColumn liquid chromatography Review of liquid-crystal stationary phases Bonded stationary phases Coated liquid-crystal polymers Molecular-shape recognition
SummaryThe use of liquid crystals as stationary phases for liquid chromatography is reviewed. The synthetic pathways used for covalent immobilization of low-molecular-weight liquid crystals on the silica-gel surface are discussed. The techniques used to characterize stationary phase structure are also presented. Finally, the trend for replacement of low-molecular-weight liquid crystals by liquid-crystalline polymers, either coated or bonded, is described. Examples are given of the separation of specific chemical compounds on liquid-crystalline stationary phases.liquid crystal on the solid support. The three-dimensional liquid crystal system in GC thus becomes a two dimensional system in HPLC.We will describe first the different synthetic pathways used to bond low-molecular-weight (LMW) liquid-crystalline molecules to silica gel particles, and the physicochemical characterization and chromatographic properties of these liquidcrystal-based stationary phases for HPLC.The alternative use of liquid-crystalline polymers (LCP), either coated or bonded to silica, will also be presented and trends in the use of liquid crystals as stationary phases in HPLC will be introduced.